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Latissimus Dorsi Flap Breast Reconstruction

Background: The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap has reemerged as an effective method for both immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. However, the technique is not without disadvantages, as the quality of the aesthetic result can at times be less than desired and complications at the donor site can be troublesome. It is proposed that modifications related to surgical technique and the use of higher quality expanders and implants can improve the aesthetic results while minimizing the incidence and severity of complications.

Methods: Five technical modifications in surgical technique, including orientation of the skin island along the relaxed skin tension lines, harvesting the deep layer of fat with the flap, cutting the thoracodorsal nerve, partially dividing the insertion of the muscle, and using a staged expander/implant sequence, are included in an overall surgical strategy designed to reconstruct the breast in both delayed and immediate settings.

Results: As a result of these technical modifications, a thin line and smooth donor-site scar is created in the back. The flap advances completely to the breast because of the partial release of the insertion of the muscle, and the volume provided by the flap is increased by keeping the deep layer of fat attached to the flap. This more effectively softens the contours of the reconstructed breast. Breast animation is minimized as a result of sectioning of the thoracodorsal nerve, and the consistency and quality of the result are improved by using a staged tissue expander/implant strategy.

Conclusion: With advancements in surgical technique and improvements in tissue expander and implant design, outstanding results can be obtained using the latissimus dorsi flap in breast reconstruction.

Grand Rapids, Mich.

From the Center for Breast and Body Contouring.

Received for publication September 12, 2008; accepted January 27, 2009.

Disclosure:The author maintains a consulting relationship with the following corporations: Mentor, Ethicon, and Organogenesis. He also has a royalty agreement with Surgical Specialty Products related to the Dermaspan tissue expander. He is an approved investigator in several silicone gel implant studies for both Mentor and Allergan and is the medical director of the Contour Profile Gel implant study for the Mentor Corporation.

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David H. Song, M.D., M.B.A. is the President-elect of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is a consultant with BioMet, Emmi Solutions, LLC, a consortium-member providing senior debt for Brava, and consultant with and investor in HealthEngine.com. He receives author royalties from Elsevier. Scot Glasberg, M.D. is the President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is a consultant with LifeCell Corp and Mentor Corp and an investor with Strathspey Crown. The authors have no sources of funding to report related to the writing or submission of this discussion.

The location and affiliation information should read as follows: Arlington Heights, Ill. From the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Foundation.